The kiss ended, leaving them both breathless.


    The corners of Elysia''s eyes were red. "You have to take care of yourself while we''re gone."


    "I know," Tarquin said.


    "Make sure you actually eat."


    "Okay."


    “And get some proper sleep at night.”


    "Okay."


    He didn''t argue, just nodded and murmured a soft ''okay'' to every instruction.


    The more she talked, the more a sudden, hot sting of tears blurred her vision.


    God, she was in so deep with this man.


    The thought of being apart so soon, of not being able to see him tonight, actually made her want to cry.


    And it was only for seven days!


    She felt annoyed at herself for being so dramatic. Turning her head away to wipe a tear, she tried to make an excuse to leave. "Come on, let''s go. My parents and the kids are waiting downstairs."


    But Tarquin pulled her back into his arms, holding her tight.


    "I''ll miss you every day, every single moment."


    His words warmed her heart. Outwardly, she teased him for being sappy, but inside she thought:


    *I''ll miss you too, constantly.*


    ...


    When the family arrived at the airport, their private jet was already waiting.


    After sending Elysia and the children off, Tarquin boarded a separate jet bound for Border City.


    Lowell was with him.


    “Tarquin, everything''s been arranged as you instructed. The world will think we''re going to Border City to recruit allies."


    "I''ve also taken care of things on the ground there. The old man still hates The Punikon Family''s guts and is raring to go to Thyania with you to take them down."


    "If the mystery man is really watching us, this shouldn''t raise any suspicion."


    Tarquin leaned back in the leather massage chair, his brow slightly furrowed and his eyes filled with a sense of loss.


    Being suddenly separated from Elysia felt unnatural, leaving an empty space in his heart.


    "Are you nning on never getting married?" Tarquin asked suddenly.


    "Huh?" Lowell blinked, making sure Tarquin was talking to him before pursing his lips. "That''s a sharp turn in conversation. You kind of threw me for a loop."


    The casual topic helped Lowell rx.


    He settled into the massage chair next to Tarquin and let out a long breath. "I haven''t really thought about marriage. Whatever happens happens You know, like you and Elysia. If fate brings it, you get married. If not, you stay single."


    His philosophy was simple: don''t resist it, but don''t force it. "Why the sudden question?"


    "It just made me think of the three of us when we were kids," Tarquin said. "If you think I had it rough, you and Axel had it way tougher. Now Mat I''ve tasted what happiness is like, I want you and Axel to be happy too."


    ???


    It was rare for Tarquin to be so sentimental. Lowell knew he was speaking from the heart and smiled. “Mamage is only happy if you find true love. If you don''t, it''s a prison."


    “Axel''s happiness has arrived; I just don''t know if he can grab hold of it. Ms. Blythe


    is a great woman. As for me... I''m in no rush. I''ll wait."


    Tarquin spoke again, his tone shifting. "Under what circumstances would you betray our brotherhood?"


    Lowell froze again and turned to look at him.


    Guessing he was alluding to the mystery man, Lowell sighed. "No matter what


    happens, I would never betray our bond. Unless you let me down first.”


    He and Axel were orphans. Without Tarquin, they wouldn''t be who they were today.


    Before they met Tarquin, they were fighting dogs for scraps.


    After meeting him, they finally had food and a roof over their heads.


    Back then, Tarquin had taken a lot of crap and swallowed his pride countless times


    within the Bradford family just to keep them by his side.


    So how could he possibly betray Tarquin?